Question about service times?
So I have this old Gruen from 1917 and came with a new crystal, crown(+stem I think), maybe mainspring (forgot to ask), and fully serviced, etc, and has been running great. I've been wearing it everyday so I was think maybe after 2-3 years even if it's still running good take it in just in case because it's so old? i think my local jeweler does a whole cleaning for around $200, cant remember.
b/c sadly i had to take it in after three days because the hands were stuck, and the crown wouldnt move. but thankfully he got it running no problem in like 5 mins for no charge. maybe next time i go out getting drunk ill leave it at home...i think i might have knocked it around w/o realizing it that night....but since then i've been super careful and no problems...yet!
so any advice welcome!
From Michigan. Love vintage watches, especially WWI Watches.
Yes not getting drunk an smashing it abouts a good idea 🙄🤣I personally don't fix things that aren't broke,if it's not working it needs service if it's working 100% use until its not 👌
Similar to the last comment, I wouldn't service it until it needs it. Once it starts running fast (like a lot fast), it can indicate that the main spring needs to be cleaned. Otherwise, enjoy!!
As those before me have said, don't fix it until it's broken. Modern lubricants are incredible, ask my girlfriend (she's a materials scientist and a figment of my imagination created solely for that joke.) Modern oils don't denature or attract dust as much as older lubricants did. Watch companies saying that a watch needs a service every three to five years is a way of bleeding money out of people and has caused a lot of confusion in the hobby.
This puppy sat for fifty years without being wound, which would have meant that the watch wouldn't run if it used old lubricants. Even 1970s synthetic oils were good.
If a watch stops running and needs a service because the oils have gunked up, there will be no damage to the mechanism, so you don't need to worry about a service as if it's preventative maintenance. A service is like rebuilding your car's engine. You can do it with every fuel change, but it will cost you so much money and time and will have no real benefit. You can do it when some symptoms start showing up and your car doesn't run right.
Just a sidenote, I'm not sure about your watch, but many watches from its era didn't have shock protection, so, while I'm not suggesting you baby it, be careful not to drop it or bash it around, as it could break the balance staff.
I hope that this has shed a bit of light on the topic. I'm only scratching the surface, but it gets my point across. Wear that Gruen well and enjoy it! If it's lasted over a century, it's certainly well-made. Cheers!
Yes not getting drunk an smashing it abouts a good idea 🙄🤣I personally don't fix things that aren't broke,if it's not working it needs service if it's working 100% use until its not 👌
This isn't wise on vintage pieces. Especially watches from the early 1900s. Parts can be very hard, if not impossible to come by. Waiting until it breaks means there's a very good chance that it can't be fixed, or will be very, very expensive to fix. It's common practice to service vintage watches more regularly than modern pieces for these reasons. Modern watches typically have parts readily available. In that case, yeah, I typically wait until there's an issue to service.
This isn't wise on vintage pieces. Especially watches from the early 1900s. Parts can be very hard, if not impossible to come by. Waiting until it breaks means there's a very good chance that it can't be fixed, or will be very, very expensive to fix. It's common practice to service vintage watches more regularly than modern pieces for these reasons. Modern watches typically have parts readily available. In that case, yeah, I typically wait until there's an issue to service.
I know my friend I understand lot of the parts or companies don't even exist anymore,probably put it a bit blunt the way it was written,I'm very careful with my watches in all respects,could have explained a bit better where I put 100% working I meant if there's any noticeable issues it will need to go in,wrong analogy to use but broke In vintage and new are two different things,but it's my way don't have regular service schedules I get problems fixed when they arrive.👍
I know my friend I understand lot of the parts or companies don't even exist anymore,probably put it a bit blunt the way it was written,I'm very careful with my watches in all respects,could have explained a bit better where I put 100% working I meant if there's any noticeable issues it will need to go in,wrong analogy to use but broke In vintage and new are two different things,but it's my way don't have regular service schedules I get problems fixed when they arrive.👍
Fair enough! I just wanted to make sure that good info is being put out there. I get the impression there are a lot of newer collectors here and we need to be sure to share good info with them and everyone else here.
Fair enough! I just wanted to make sure that good info is being put out there. I get the impression there are a lot of newer collectors here and we need to be sure to share good info with them and everyone else here.
I agree my friend ill be more clear in the future,and try and chill out with the analogys 😂problem with them.
thanks for all the advice everyone! good to know that its more misinformation/money making scheme by watch companies to push getting your watch looked at 5-10 years or whatever than a necessity. like posters here said as long as it keeps time and runs great i wont worry about it. one thing that's always on my mind is keeping water off of it! its my greatest fear! i'll never understand how watches of that era survived (or didn't) the rigors of WWI warfare. i know some had 'waterproof' cases and 'unbreakable glass' and stuff but i doubt every solider had a watch built like that. i was eyeing a Longines from 1916(?) for about $900, but this Gruen was $250. maybe in the future the Longines will still be up for sale when I have 1K to blow on a watch lol.